Linda R. Greenstein
Encyclopedia
Linda R. Greenstein is an American Democratic Party
politician
who represents the 14th legislative district in the New Jersey
Senate
. She previously served in the General Assembly
from 2000 to 2010. She defeated Republican
candidate Tom Goodwin
in a November 2010 special election to complete the Senate term of Bill Baroni
, who resigned to take the position of Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
. She is the first woman to hold the Mercer-Middlesex regional State Senate district.
borough of Brooklyn
. She received an A.B.
from Vassar College
in Psychology in 1971, an M.A.
in 1974 from Johns Hopkins University
and was awarded a J.D.
in 1984 from the Georgetown University Law Center
.
Greenstein served on the Plainsboro
Township Committee from 1995 to 2000 and on the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
's Board of Education
from 1992 to 1994. Previous to her election to the General Assembly, she was a Senior Staff Attorney at the Community Health Law Project and supervised the Public Interest Legal Clinic at Montclair State University
.
She was also a Clinical Associate Professor at the Seton Hall University School of Law
, where she supervised the Disability Law Clinic. She has served as a Deputy Attorney General in Trenton
and as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia. She is a resident of Plainsboro Township.
and Barbara Wright
were narrowly defeated by Democrats Greenstein and Gary Guear
, with the incumbents losing votes in Hamilton Township, where Democrat Glen Gilmore
won the race for mayor. The two gains were among the three Republicans seats Democrats picked up in the Assembly in the 1999 elections, though the Republicans retained their majority.
She was the Assembly's Assistant Majority Leader from 2002, and the Deputy Speaker from 2006. Greenstein served in the Assembly on the Judiciary Committee (as Chair) and the Health and Senior Services Committee.
supported Greenstein's legislation, which will provide consumers with important health-care information and increase accountability and transparency in state health care.
Greenstein also co-sponsored A3371, a bill designed to protect all hospital patients and their insurance companies from being charged for a hospital's preventable medical mistake.
Greenstein also sponsored a bill in 2008 that would require all assisted living facilities to dedicate 10% of their beds to people eligible for Medicaid
coverage and 5% to people currently using Medicaid
.
In February 2008, Greenstein introduced legislation designed to protect the elderly from insurance salesmen who push buyers into making unnecessary purchases, especially with annuities.
In the Judiciary Committee, Greenstein passed the Jessica Rogers Law, a bill created to provide for harsher penalties for assaults caused by road rage.
Greenstein stated her support for Ricci's Law, a bill that would require convicted drunk drivers to install alcohol ignition interlock devices in their vehicles. The bill is supported by MADD
.
In 2009, Greenstein introduced a package of 10 bills in the state Legislature that would increase penalties for communicating online with minors in sexually explicit ways as well as allow wiretapping in investigations concerning crimes against children. Greenstein has also demanded that any offender already registered under Megan's Law
register all of their email usernames and passwords with the state.
Greenstein cosponsored the Toxic-Free Children's Products Act in the spring of 2008, which would ban the sale, distribution and manufacturing of toys and children's products containing Bisphenol A
or phthalates. These two chemicals are linked to hormonal diseases.
In March 2008, Greenstein was one of the chief sponsors of a bill that would allow workers to take up to six weeks paid leave for a new child or a sick relative. Greenstein’s bill received bipartisan support as her Hamilton district’s Republican State Senator, Bill Baroni
, voted in favor of the Senate version of the bill in April 2008.
Greenstein also stated that she would like to move forward with legislation that would enable law enforcement to carry stun guns with the goal of increasing the safety of local police.
Greenstein is the author of New Jersey’s anti-telemarketing law, and has called for a State Constitutional Convention
for property tax reform.
Greenstein was also the prime sponsor of several pieces of legislation providing funding for open space preservation and is a founder and co-chair of the Legislative Smart Growth Caucus, which is promoting an anti-sprawl agenda.
Greenstein has also advocated for a bottle and can deposit program that would increase state funding for environmental protection and encourage more recycling by consumers.
Greenstein has advocated for sweeping reforms to reduce the influence of campaign contributions on the state’s political system. As recently as April 2009, Greenstein has stated her hope to introduce an ethics reform bill in the State Assembly, which would significantly alter current pay-to-play loophole.
In spring 2009, Greenstein also sponsored bill A1904, a “good government bill” that would bring transparency to county politics and allow non-establishment primary candidates to campaign on a more level playing field.
Greenstein was most recently reelected in 2007 while participating in the New Jersey Clean Elections public funding program. During this campaign, Greenstein overcame radio attack ads from a national third-party conservative group with ties to President George W. Bush
.
Greenstein was an early supporter of Barack Obama
’s Presidential campaign. Greenstein endorsed Obama prior to the January 3, 2008 Iowa Caucus
.
Greenstein hailed the new Lieutenant Governor
position as one that will “help shatter New Jersey’s glass ceiling.”
and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly
. The 14th District includes the municipalities of Cranbury Township
, Hamilton Township
, Jamesburg
, Monroe Township
, Plainsboro Township
, South Brunswick Township
and West Windsor Township
. The other representatives from the 14th District for the 2010-2011 Legislative Session are:
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who represents the 14th legislative district in the New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
Senate
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
. She previously served in the General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
from 2000 to 2010. She defeated Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
candidate Tom Goodwin
Tom Goodwin (New Jersey politician)
Thomas "Tom" Goodwin is an American Republican Party politician and financial planner who was selected on March 11, 2010 to represent the 14th legislative district in the New Jersey Senate, after the resignation of Bill Baroni left a vacancy. He was sworn in on March 15, 2010 and sought...
in a November 2010 special election to complete the Senate term of Bill Baroni
Bill Baroni
William E. "Bill" Baroni, Jr. is an American Republican Party politician and law professor who was named by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in February 2010 to serve as the Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the nation’s busiest airport...
, who resigned to take the position of Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state port district, established in 1921 through an interstate compact, that runs most of the regional transportation infrastructure, including the bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports, within the Port of New York and New Jersey...
. She is the first woman to hold the Mercer-Middlesex regional State Senate district.
Biography
Greenstein was born in the New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
borough of Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
. She received an A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Vassar College
Vassar College
Vassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. The Vassar campus comprises over and more than 100 buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks, ranging in style from Collegiate Gothic to International,...
in Psychology in 1971, an M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in 1974 from Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
and was awarded a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in 1984 from the Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center is the law school of Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1870, the Law Center offers J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. degrees in law...
.
Greenstein served on the Plainsboro
Plainsboro Township, New Jersey
Plainsboro Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 20,215.Plainsboro was incorporated as a township on May 6, 1919...
Township Committee from 1995 to 2000 and on the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District is a regional school district in New Jersey, serving students from West Windsor Township and Plainsboro Township ....
's Board of Education
Board of education
A board of education or a school board or school committee is the title of the board of directors or board of trustees of a school, local school district or higher administrative level....
from 1992 to 1994. Previous to her election to the General Assembly, she was a Senior Staff Attorney at the Community Health Law Project and supervised the Public Interest Legal Clinic at Montclair State University
Montclair State University
Montclair State University is a public research university located in the Upper Montclair section of Montclair, the Great Notch area of Little Falls, and Clifton, New Jersey. As of October 2009, there were 18,171 total enrolled students: 14,139 undergraduate students and 4,032 graduate students...
.
She was also a Clinical Associate Professor at the Seton Hall University School of Law
Seton Hall University School of Law
The Seton Hall University School of Law is part of Seton Hall University, and is located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Seton Hall Law School is the only private law school in New Jersey, and is the top-ranked of the three law schools in the state...
, where she supervised the Disability Law Clinic. She has served as a Deputy Attorney General in Trenton
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
and as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia. She is a resident of Plainsboro Township.
Legislative career
In the 1999 Assembly election, Republican incumbents Paul KramerPaul Kramer
Paul Kramer is an American Republican Party politician. He served four terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he represented the 14th Legislative District from 1992 to 2000.-Early career:...
and Barbara Wright
Barbara Wright (politician)
Barbara Wright is an American Republican Party politician who served four terms in the New Jersey General Assembly, from 1992 to 2000, where she represented the 14th Legislative District...
were narrowly defeated by Democrats Greenstein and Gary Guear
Gary Guear
Gary L. Guear, Sr. is an American Democratic Party politician, who served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2000–2004, where he represented the 14th Legislative District.-Biography:...
, with the incumbents losing votes in Hamilton Township, where Democrat Glen Gilmore
Glen Gilmore
Glen D. Gilmore is the principal of the Social Media Marketing firm, Gilmore Business Network . A practicing attorney , Gilmore also serves as the Senior Social Media Advisor to Memphis-based Howell Marketing....
won the race for mayor. The two gains were among the three Republicans seats Democrats picked up in the Assembly in the 1999 elections, though the Republicans retained their majority.
She was the Assembly's Assistant Majority Leader from 2002, and the Deputy Speaker from 2006. Greenstein served in the Assembly on the Judiciary Committee (as Chair) and the Health and Senior Services Committee.
Senior-related legislation
In 2008, Greenstein co-sponsored A1264, legislation requiring public disclosure of medical error rates at individual hospitals across the state. The AARPAARP
AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is the United States-based non-governmental organization and interest group, founded in 1958 by Ethel Percy Andrus, PhD, a retired educator from California, and based in Washington, D.C. According to its mission statement, it is "a...
supported Greenstein's legislation, which will provide consumers with important health-care information and increase accountability and transparency in state health care.
Greenstein also co-sponsored A3371, a bill designed to protect all hospital patients and their insurance companies from being charged for a hospital's preventable medical mistake.
Greenstein also sponsored a bill in 2008 that would require all assisted living facilities to dedicate 10% of their beds to people eligible for Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
coverage and 5% to people currently using Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
.
In February 2008, Greenstein introduced legislation designed to protect the elderly from insurance salesmen who push buyers into making unnecessary purchases, especially with annuities.
Family-related legislation
As chair of the Judiciary Committee, Greenstein was the prime sponsor of bill A-571, the Prevention of Domestic Violent Act. The bill called for harsher criminal punishment and longer jail time for those who impair their domestic partners means of communicating with the outside world for purposes of control and abuse.In the Judiciary Committee, Greenstein passed the Jessica Rogers Law, a bill created to provide for harsher penalties for assaults caused by road rage.
Greenstein stated her support for Ricci's Law, a bill that would require convicted drunk drivers to install alcohol ignition interlock devices in their vehicles. The bill is supported by MADD
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a non-profit organization in the United States that seeks to stop drunk driving, support those affected by drunk driving, prevent underage drinking, and overall push for stricter alcohol policy...
.
In 2009, Greenstein introduced a package of 10 bills in the state Legislature that would increase penalties for communicating online with minors in sexually explicit ways as well as allow wiretapping in investigations concerning crimes against children. Greenstein has also demanded that any offender already registered under Megan's Law
Megan's Law
Megan's Law is an informal name for laws in the United States requiring law enforcement authorities to make information available to the public regarding registered sex offenders. Individual states decide what information will be made available and how it should be disseminated...
register all of their email usernames and passwords with the state.
Greenstein cosponsored the Toxic-Free Children's Products Act in the spring of 2008, which would ban the sale, distribution and manufacturing of toys and children's products containing Bisphenol A
Bisphenol A
Bisphenol A is an organic compound with two phenol functional groups. It is used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, along with other applications....
or phthalates. These two chemicals are linked to hormonal diseases.
In March 2008, Greenstein was one of the chief sponsors of a bill that would allow workers to take up to six weeks paid leave for a new child or a sick relative. Greenstein’s bill received bipartisan support as her Hamilton district’s Republican State Senator, Bill Baroni
Bill Baroni
William E. "Bill" Baroni, Jr. is an American Republican Party politician and law professor who was named by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in February 2010 to serve as the Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the nation’s busiest airport...
, voted in favor of the Senate version of the bill in April 2008.
Greenstein also stated that she would like to move forward with legislation that would enable law enforcement to carry stun guns with the goal of increasing the safety of local police.
Greenstein is the author of New Jersey’s anti-telemarketing law, and has called for a State Constitutional Convention
Constitutional convention (political meeting)
A constitutional convention is now a gathering for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising an existing constitution. A general constitutional convention is called to create the first constitution of a political unit or to entirely replace an existing constitution...
for property tax reform.
Environmental legislation
In June 2008, Greenstein stated her support for the “Go Big On Wind Initiative.” This initiative, supported by Linda Greenstein and Environment New Jersey, a nonprofit group, advocates offshore wind farms off the coast of Atlantic City.Greenstein was also the prime sponsor of several pieces of legislation providing funding for open space preservation and is a founder and co-chair of the Legislative Smart Growth Caucus, which is promoting an anti-sprawl agenda.
Greenstein has also advocated for a bottle and can deposit program that would increase state funding for environmental protection and encourage more recycling by consumers.
Miscellaneous legislation
Greenstein sponsored a bill in fall 2008 that gave local governments more authority over traffic controls on their roads.Greenstein has advocated for sweeping reforms to reduce the influence of campaign contributions on the state’s political system. As recently as April 2009, Greenstein has stated her hope to introduce an ethics reform bill in the State Assembly, which would significantly alter current pay-to-play loophole.
In spring 2009, Greenstein also sponsored bill A1904, a “good government bill” that would bring transparency to county politics and allow non-establishment primary candidates to campaign on a more level playing field.
Greenstein was most recently reelected in 2007 while participating in the New Jersey Clean Elections public funding program. During this campaign, Greenstein overcame radio attack ads from a national third-party conservative group with ties to President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
.
Greenstein was an early supporter of Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
’s Presidential campaign. Greenstein endorsed Obama prior to the January 3, 2008 Iowa Caucus
Iowa caucus
The Iowa caucuses are an electoral event in which residents of the U.S. state of Iowa meet in precinct caucuses in all of Iowa's 1784 precincts and elect delegates to the corresponding county conventions. There are 99 counties in Iowa and thus 99 conventions...
.
Greenstein hailed the new Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
position as one that will “help shatter New Jersey’s glass ceiling.”
District 14
Each of the forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey SenateNew Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly
New Jersey General Assembly
The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature.Since the election of 1967 , the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for a term of two years, each representing districts with average...
. The 14th District includes the municipalities of Cranbury Township
Cranbury Township, New Jersey
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 3,227 people, 1,091 households, and 877 families residing in the township. The population density was 240.6 people per square mile . There were 1,121 housing units at an average density of 83.6 per square mile...
, Hamilton Township
Hamilton Township, Mercer County, New Jersey
Hamilton Township is a Township in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the township had a total population of 88,464...
, Jamesburg
Jamesburg, New Jersey
Jamesburg is a Borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 6,025.Jamesburg was formed as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 19, 1887, when it was created from portions of Monroe Township, based on...
, Monroe Township
Monroe Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey
Monroe Township is a Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 27,999. Monroe was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1838, from portions of South Amboy Township, based on the...
, Plainsboro Township
Plainsboro Township, New Jersey
Plainsboro Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2000 United States Census, the township population was 20,215.Plainsboro was incorporated as a township on May 6, 1919...
, South Brunswick Township
South Brunswick Township, New Jersey
South Brunswick Township is a Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 43,417....
and West Windsor Township
West Windsor Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of Census 2010, West Windsor had a population of 27,165. The median age was 39.6. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 54.9% White, 3.7% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 37.7% Asian, 1.0% some other race and 2.6% reporting two or more races...
. The other representatives from the 14th District for the 2010-2011 Legislative Session are:
- Assemblyman Wayne DeAngeloWayne DeAngeloWayne P. DeAngelo is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 8, 2008, where he represents the 14th legislative district....
(DDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
), and - Assemblyman Daniel R. BensonDaniel R. BensonDaniel R. "Dan" Benson is an American Democratic Party politician who serves in the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 14th legislative district. Benson, who previously served on the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders, replaced Assemblywoman Linda R. Greenstein, after she was...
(DDemocratic Party (United States)The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
).
External links
- Senator Greenstein's legislative web page, New Jersey LegislatureNew Jersey LegislatureThe New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the Senate...
- New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms - 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
- Assembly Member Linda R. Greenstein, Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- New Jersey Voter Information Website 2003